Fashion show lets group celebrate
More than fashion will be celebrated Saturday at the annual Soroptimist International of Butler County Fashion Show.
The group is marking its 60th anniversary during the event, “Celebrating 60 Years of Women Helping Women 'Live Their Dream,'” at the Butler Country Club.
“We are encouraging past members to come out for the fashion show,” said President Carol Landis of Butler.
But Landis said the event is not just a celebration of fashion or noting the local group's founding, it's about recognizing women who have embodied the Soroptomist goal of women achieving their full potential.
Landis said the group will award two cash scholarships: the Woman of Distinction and the Violet Richardson awards.
The Woman of Distinction is given to a female head of household trying to improve her skills. The Richardson award goes to a young woman for her community service.
Landis said the Soroptomists will also recognize a club member and a woman in the community for their efforts to improve the lives of others with Ruby Awards.
“It's women aspiring to live their own dream and inspiring others to live theirs,” said Diane Thompson of Franklin, a former president who also served on the board of the Soroptimist International of the Americas Federation, which was made up of clubs in North and South America as well as the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Guam.
“It was fascinating,” Thompson said of her work on the board.
“The critical part is to make sure decisions meet the needs of all the different cultures,” said Thompson. “We believe that we're a women's organization that helps women who are trying to live their dream of a better life for themselves and their families.”
“'Live the Dream' is the theme of the fashion show,” Thompson said. “And liveyourdream.org is a website that helps people understand that. It helps the community see what we are trying to do.”
“We are a professional women's group, and we help women and young girls in Butler County through various fundraising and programs that we do,” said Landis.
“I think women have a passion for helping others and the fact that there is such a need in Butler County,” added Landis. “I think it is one way a group of people can help a multitude of people, more so than a woman could do by herself.”
Landis said the fashion show is staged to raise funds for the Soroptomists' work. She's hoping the event will draw 150 to 200 people.
“I know we are doing fashions for six decades. We are talking 1950s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and 2000s,” Landis said.
In addition to the fashion show, the event will feature door prizes, theme baskets, a shoppers' bazaar, a “buy a prize” and a drawing.
<B>WHAT: </B>Soroptimist International of Butler County Fashion Show<B>WHEN: </B>Saturday, doors open at 10 a.m., noon luncheon followed by fashion show and awards at 1 p.m.<B>WHERE: </B>Butler Country Club, 310 Country Club Lane.<B>INFORMATION: </B>Deadline to buy tickets is Tuesday. To buy tickets, call Amy at 724-355-2629 or e-mail amyb819@gmail.com.
